Jennie Kermode’s Compliance Action
The unsettling nature of Kyle Mangione-Smith’s contribution to Fantastic Fest hinges not just on the brutality of the narrative, but on the viewer’s own feelings about late-stage capitalism and the dark forces that often follow it.
The piece is presented as raw, found footage, plunging the audience directly into a situation that is deeply disturbing. It opens with a distressing emergency call, detailing a violent assault suffered by a woman while staying in accommodation managed by the company Uvisit.
From this crisis emerges Sam, played by Megan Wilcox. Sent into the situation by the corporation, Sam is tasked with intervening. Her mission is to facilitate the distressed woman’s recovery: retrieving her from the hospital, arranging new accommodation, and handling the necessary paperwork.
However, Sam is clearly not comfortable operating within this framework. She previously worked as a social worker, a role that instilled a different set of priorities. As the situation unfolds, Sam grapples with the demands of her new role, encountering a stark conflict between her professional ethics and the cold, procedural demands of her employer.
The narrative thrust comes from the uneasy dynamic between Sam and her boss. The boss reminds Sam that her responsibilities have shifted; she is no longer a social worker, but a representative in public relations, requiring a complete recalibration of priorities. This shift highlights the chilling reality of how corporate structures often prioritize image and process over genuine human need.
Through Sam’s experience, the feature story uses the interaction to explore the thin line between professional duty and moral compromise. It forces the audience to confront the uncomfortable notion that even in moments of extreme crisis, the mechanisms of capitalism dictate the response.
Ultimately, the piece uses this dramatic scenario to delve into the darker undercurrents of modern life, asking viewers to consider the explicit brutality that can be masked by corporate politeness. It suggests that the most sinister elements are often found in the gap between what is presented and what is actually felt.
Buy on Amazon
Credit
